‘Davy Fitzgerald will be rubbing his hands’ - Belief grows that chip on Waterford’s shoulder can yield victory over Rebels

Mentality bites: Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald can use the negative chatter around his team to galvanise them for Cork's visit. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Online Editors

Despite a league campaign where they managed just one win in five games, there is a growing optimism in Waterford that this weekend’s Munster Championship opener can bring out the best in the Déise.

And former Waterford hurler John Mullane is confident that as Cork arrive in Walsh Park on Sunday to open their championship campaign, a mixture of outside chatter, defiance and pride can inspire the Déise to victory.

“We have seen time and time again that when you write this group off, that is when they come in with a performance, ” Mullane said on The Throw-In podcast, the Irish Independent’s GAA show.

“They hear talk that Cork will come in and win by a double-digit score. If you are a Waterford player and you are hearing that … that Cork are going to come down to Walsh Park and hammer Waterford by double digit scores? I’d say Davy Fitzgerald is rubbing his hands!

“I can only imagine what he is throwing at the players this week - that everyone is writing yee off; everyone is saying there is going to be a hammering. There is some serious talent in the Waterford team, and all it is going to take is that if they get the crowd behind them, Waterford can keep it very very close.”

Listen & follow The Throw-In Hurling show with John Mullane, Eddie Brennan and Michael Verney on Apple or Spotify: https://pod.fo/e/23243d